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Why would you want to turn your website into a progressive web application?

What did it mean? What makes such apps different from mobile apps? Why do they say they are the future of the Internet? And, finally, what is needed to create a functional, progressive web application?

Why are progressive web apps (PWAs) so popular and why are they developing so much lately?

In short, because they are:

fast

efficient

reliable

up-to-date

always available (yes, even offline).

Why do many designers and developers improve their skills precisely in the development of these web technologies? Because PWA many consider the future of using the Internet on mobile devices.

This is evidenced by the recently published e-book called Progressive Web Apps, the future of the mobile Internet, with experts from Google and Microsoft, and published by Awwwards. The book states that people are increasingly using mobile devices to access the Internet, and users' expectations are increasing.

There are progressive web applications on the scene, as they offer a revolutionary solution for improving user experience on mobile devices.

WHAT ARE PROGRESSIVE WEB APPLICATIONS

To begin with, we emphasize that PWA is not actually an application. These are websites that provide users with application-like experience.

Using a combination of tools and web technologies, such as different scripts, the app shell, an application programming interface (API), quick download, offline usage, simplified re-engagement of old users and more.

This type of advanced web technology implies that the user accesses the web page through a web browser, with an impression that it is accessing the application.

These are web pages that are:

currently loading

constantly update and automatically display new content

they work perfectly in conditions of poor internet connectivity and even when users are not online

provide the possibility of so-called push notifications.

Google originally started to develop PWA for its Chrome browser, but in the meantime including other search engines in the game. Primarily, these were Mozilla Firefox and Opera and then aligned them with Microsoft Edge and Safari browsers.

PWAs are also available via desktop computers, although they are primarily intended for use on mobile devices. That's why one of their main features is that it is possible to add shortcuts to the home screen to start up, making them even easier and faster available. In doing so, it is not necessary to go to Google Play or the App Store and there is no need to download and install.

TO WHO PWA CAN BE USEFUL?

If you are the owner of an online business and already have your own website, you may be wondering if this is all about you, would you be able to convert your site into PWA, how to do it, whether you will be paid, will it improve your business …

We do not want to keep you uncertain, and that's why we simply answer: yes, we believe that you should consider converting a mobile version of the site into PWA because it may contribute to better business results.

The practice has shown that PWA can especially help companies in the field:

commerce and e-commerce

media and publishing

education

tourism and hospitality.

In other words, if you have an online store, switching from a mobile version of a site to a progressive web application might be worth it to you in multiple ways. It will provide users with a better experience, the site will be quicker and more efficient, paying securely, and along with it, the complete earnings will go to you, which is not the case if you have a mobile app you charge. Why do we say that? Because it is often overlooked that Google and Apple are taking a percentage of every transaction conducted on their mobile app stores (sometimes up to 30%). With PWA, however, you do not have to think about it.

On the other hand, if you run an online magazine or newspaper portal and publish a large number of articles on a daily basis, a progressive web application could be the ideal solution for you and your users.

As a very successful example, we are referring to Infobae, an Argentine news portal, which, after moving from the mobile version of the site to PWA, achieved impressive results. The Google survey showed that this portal, which records 38 million views a month, thanks to PWA achieved a longer stay on the site by as much as 230%, three times more pages viewed in streams of a single session and only 5% of departure from the site (as opposed to 51 % on the mobile version).

Another great plus for PWA is that these applications rank in online searches. This means that SEO optimization techniques will help your PWA to rank better on Google and other search engines.